Safety container



Nov. 23, 1965 A. s. HAKlM SAFETY CONTAINER Filed July 17, 1964 IN VENTOR \2Q ALBERT S- AH M Qild mnmm ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,219,220 SAFETY CONTAINER Albert S. Hakim, IEO. Box 1026, Monroe, La. Filed July 17, 1964, Ser. No. 383,313 3 Claims. (Cl. 215-9) The present invention relates to containers of the type adapted for safely storing medicines and other potentially dangerous materials, the containers requiring manipulations for access to the contents, which manipulations exceed the normal motor abilities of children, or other persons to whom the contents might prove harmful. The invention relates to the general class of containers disclosed in my prior application, Serial No. 349,- 008, now Patent No. 3,157,302.

A basic objective of the invention herein disclosed resides in the provision of a container as indicated which is provided with closure means readily removed by anthorized persons, but which discourages opening by children and requires such manipulation as to require that a subtsantial degree of attention be given to the opening procedure. A related object is to supply a container and closure wherein the closure i rotatable and movable with respect to the container without effecting removal, thus discouraging random attempts at the opening thereof.

Another object relates to the provision of a safety container and cooperating cover wherein multiple slot and lug means are provided between the cover and the container, at least one such slot comprising a portion of a compound release passageway, the alignment of the lug and the release passageway being of suflicient difliculty to preclude opening by unauthorized persons, and the likelihood of chance alignment being minimized. A still further object is to provide a construction as aforesaid wherein additional manipulation is required after alignment of the lug and passageway whereby, even if random alignment occurs, the unauthorized person is still unlikely to gain access.

A further object of importance relates to the provision of a container for potentially dangerous substances (pills, liquid medicines, or the like), with a rotatable outer locking cover, and with an inner lid or cap to prevent damage and/ or spillage of the contents resultant from movement of the outer cover.

Further objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexd drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a safety container constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a disassembled perspective view thereof partially broken away;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, foreshortened sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, detail sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4, looking in the dirction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 4, showing a modification.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, and initially to the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 1-6, the safety container is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The device 10 includes a receptacle 12 3,219,220 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 which has a base 14 and a tubular side wall 16, the receptacle being formed of any suitable material. Side wall 16 has inner and outer sides 18 and 20, and includes an upper end portion 22. In FIGURES 2, 3, and 4, it is seen that the end portion 22 terminates in stepped end edges, including a depressed interior edge 24 forming a ledge, and an exterior edge 26.

The upper end portion 22 of the container has an annular groove 28 formed therein and extending about the full circumference thereof. The groove 28 is spaced downwardly from the edge 26, and opens on the outer side 20 of the wall 16. Communicating with the groove is a plurality of spaced apart, vertical slots 38 arranged substantially perpendicular thereto and being blind or closed. There is preferably provided a maximum number of the slots 30 (depending on the size of the containers) for a purpose described below.

Formed as part of the series of slots 30 and of substantially equal spacing, individually, therewith, are a pair of upright openings 32, each forming the first portion of compound release passageways. The passageways, at least one of which must be supplied, further include a second portion 34 arranged generally parallel to the groove 28 and oppositely directed with respect to one another when a pair of passageways are provided, and a substantially vertical third or release portion 36 which opens on the edge 26. For a purpose appearing below, marking indicia 38 (preferably an inconspicuous dot) is placed on the outer side 20 of the wall 16 in vertical alignment with the first portion 32 of the passageway.

In the first form of the invention 10, which is particularly adapted for containing solid or granular substances such as medicines in tablet or capsule form, a removable inner cap 40 formed of a resilient material such as plastic is provided. The cap 40 is substantially discoidal as shown and is of a diameter to seat on the inner stepped ledge 24. A plurality of lips 42 projects inwardly from the edge 26 to serve as retainers for the cap, and the cap is notched at 44 whereby it may be removed by placement of a fingernail or the like thereunder. The cap 40 is stationary relative to the receptacle 12 when in use, and is snap-fit in place.

A safety closure 46 for the receptacle 12 comprises a top 48 with a circumferential, depending, annular flange 50 of a diameter to fit about the end portion 22 of the receptacle side wall 16, and of a depth to extend at least to the groove 28 when the cover is placed over the receptacle. The closure 46 is formed of any suitable material, and is opaque or nontransparent to conceal the locking means. The flange has inner and outer faces 52, 54, respectively, and a lower end edge 56. Extending inwardly from the face 52 on diametrically opposed sides of the flange are lugs 58, preferably integral with the flange. The lugs are dimensioned to slide in the groove 28, slots 30, and release passageway portions 32-36. The flange outer face 54 carries marking indicia such as inconspicuous dots 60, which serve to indicate the position of the lugs with sufficient clarity to advise authorized persons of the location thereof.

With the cap 40 in place, the closure 46 is employed in locking the receptacle 12. Installation involves visual or trial and error alignment of the lugs 58 with the release portions 36 of the passagewgays, followed by movement of the lugs through the passageways to engagement in the groove 28. Unlimited rotary movement of the cap is permitted by the slidable engagement of the lugs in the groove. Limited upward movement of the cap relative to the receptacle is permitted when the lugs are engaged in opposite pairs of slots 30, but such movement is insuflicient to permit access to the contents. Removal of the cap is possible only by alignment of the indicia 38 and 60 efiecting alignment of the lugs in the first portions of the release passageways, further removal requires an upward movement, a twisting movement in a determined direction, and a further upward movement. Even in the event of chance alignment of the lugs and first portions 32, complete removal is made unlikely by the necessity for this further manipulation.

Damage to the contents of the receptacle, such as tablets T stored therein during rotation of the closure is prevented by the cap 40.

In FIGURE 7 a modification is shown comprising a receptacle 12a adapted to contain liquids L. The cap 40a of the device comprises a stopper of plastic or similar material providing a liquid seal, and having a lower compressible stopper portion 100 and an upper gripping portion 102 facilitating removal. To accommodate the upward projection of the portion 102, the closure 46a has a raised dome 104 projecting from its top 48a. Placement and removal procedures are described above with respect to the first form of the invention.

Having described and illustrated two embodiments of the invention in some detail, it will be understood that these descriptions and illustrations are offered merely by Way of example, and that the invention is to be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A safety container for potentially dangerous materials, the container comprising:

a receptacle including a base and a tubular side Wall;

the side wall having inner and outer sides and an upper end portion;

the upper end portion terminating in stepped end edges including a depressed interior edge and an exterior edge;

a removable resilient cap seating on the interior edge of the receptacle side wall;

means extending inwardly from the exterior edge releasably engaging the cap;

the upper exterior end portion having an annular groove formed therein extending about the full circumference thereof and spaced from the stepped end edges;

the outer side of the side wall end portion having a plurality of spaced apart, closed slots therein arranged substantially perpendicular to the annular groove and opening thereon;

the end portion having a pair of diametrically opposite, compound release passageways therein, each having a first portion parallel With and spaced similarly with the closed slots, a second portion substantially parallel with the groove, and a substantially vertical release portion;

marking indicia on the side wall outer side in substantially vertical alignment with the first portions of the release passageways;

a closure comprising a top and a depending flange, the flange being of a diameter to fit about the upper end portion of the receptacle side wall and of a depth to extend at least to the annular groove;

lugs projecting inwardly from the flange on opposite sides; and

marking indicia on the flange indicating the location of the lugs, whereby the lugs are engage-d in the first portion of the release passageways upon alignment of the indicia.

2. A safety container for potentially dangerous materials, the container comprising:

a receptacle including a base and a tubular side Wall;

the side wall having inner and outer sides and an upper end portion;

the upper end portion terminating in stepped end edges including a depressed interior edge and an exterior edge;

a removable resilient cap seating on the interior edge of the receptacle side wall;

the upper exterior end portion having an annular groove formed therein extending about the full circumference thereof and spaced from the stepped end edges;

the outer side of the side wall end portion having a plurality of spaced apart, closed slots therein arranged substantially perpendicular to the annular groove and opening thereon;

the end portion having a pair of diametrically opposite, compound release passageways therein, each having a first portion parallel with and spaced similarly with the closed slots, a second portion substantially parallel with the groove, and a substantially vertical release portion;

marking indicia on the side wall outer side in substantially vertical alignment with the first portions of the release passageways;

a closure comprising a top and a depending flange, the flange being of a diameter to fit about the upper end portion of the receptacle side wall and of a depth to extend at least to the annular groove;

lugs projecting inwardly from the flange on opposite sides; and

marking indicia on the flange indicating the location of the lugs, whereby the lugs are engaged in the first portion of the release passageways upon alignment of the indicia.

3. A safety container for potentially dangerous materials, the container comprising:

a receptacle including a base and a side wall;

the side wall having an upper end portion;

removable cap means seated in the upper end portion;

the upper end portion having an exterior annular groove formed therein;

the end portion having a plurality of spaced apart,

closed slots therein, arranged substantially perpendicular to the groove and opening thereon;

the end portion having at least one compound release passageway therein, including a first portion substantially parallel and spaced correspondingly with the closed slots, a second portion substantially parallel with the groove, and a substantially vertical release portion;

marking indicia on the side wall in substantially vertical alignment with the first portion of the release passageway;

a closure comprising a top and depending flange, the flange being of a diameter to fit about the upper end portion of the receptacle side Wall and of a depth to extend at least to the annular groove;

lugs projecting inwardly from the flange on opposite sides; and

marking indicia on the flange indicating the location of the lugs whereby the lugs are engaged in the first portion of the release passageways upon alignment of the indicia.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SAFETY CONTAINER FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MATERIALS, THE CONTAINER COMPRISING: A RECEPTACLE INCLUDING A BASE AND A TUBULAR SIDE WALL; THE SIDE WALL HAVING INNER AND OUTER SIDES AND AN UPPER END PORTION; THE UPPER END PORTION TERMINATING IN STEPPED END EDGES INCLUDING A DEPRESSED INTERIOR EDGE AND AN EXTERIOR EDGE; A REMOVABLE RESILIENT CAP SEATING ON THE INTERIOR EDGE OF THE RECEPTACLE SIDE WALLS; MEANS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE EXTERIOR EDGE RELEASABLY ENGAGING THE CAP; THE UPPER EXTERIOR END PORTION HAVING AN ANNULAR GROOVE FORMED THEREIN EXTENDING ABOUT THE FULL CIRCUMFERENCE THEREOF AND SPACED FROM THE STAPPED END EDGES; THE OUTER SIDE OF THE SIDE WALL END PORTION HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED APART, CLOSED SLOTS THEREIN ARRANGED SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE ANNULAR GROOVE AND OPENING THEREON; THE END PORTION HAVING A PAIR OF DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE, COMPOUND RELEASE PASSAGEWAYS THEREIN, EACH HAVING A FIRST PORTION PARALLEL WITH AND SPACED SIMILARLY WITH THE CLOSED SLOTS, A SECOND PORTION SUBSTANTIALLY PARELLEL WITH THE GROOVE, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL RELEASE PORTION; MARKING INDICIA ON THE SIDE WALL OUTER SIDE IN SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE FIRST PORTIONS OF THE RELEASE PASSAGEWAYS; A CLOSURE COMPRISING A TOP AND A DEPENDING FLANGE, THE FLANGE BEING OF A DIAMETER OF FIT ABOIUT THE UPPER END PORTION OF THE RECEPTACLE SIDE WALL AND OF A DEPTH TO EXTEND AT LEAST TO THE ANNULAR GROOVE; LUGS PROJECTING INWARDLY FROM THE FLANGE ON OPPOSITE SIDES; AND MARKING INDICIA ON THE FLANGE INDICATING THE LOCATION OF THE LUGS, WHEREBY THE LUGS ARE ENGAGED IN THE FIRST PORTION OF THE RELEASE PASSAGEWAYS UPON ALIGNMENT OF THE INDICIA. 